Australia seeks entry of UK entrepreneurs on visas!

Australians would welcome British entrepreneurs. According to the research, 86 per cent of respondents said they would like more people to emigrate Down Under, while one in five Australians said that the country ‘lacks entrepreneurs.’

Currently Australian business immigration visas include the Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) and Business Talent (Permanent) visa (subclass 132). There is also the Australian 457 work visa and skilled migration schemes.

UK Nationals considered to have strong entrepreneurial skills

Additionally, two-thirds of those participating in the survey considered UK nationals to have ‘strong entrepreneurial skills.”The survey results are encouraging for entrepreneurs considering setting up a business Down Under and show that British entrepreneurship is recognized and welcomed there.”

“Everyone knows that Australia is a beautiful country and a wonderful holiday destination. But, it can also provide exciting opportunities for entrepreneurs looking to live and work abroad,” Morris added.

Australia is a popular destination for people from the UK. There was a mass migration from Britain to Australia around 60 years ago, a time when UK nationals were given incentives to emigrate Down Under. Those who did emigrate in the aftermath of World War II were referred to as the ‘£10 Poms’, a slang term used by Australians and New Zealanders.

1945 Australian Assisted Passage Migration Scheme

UK citizens arrived in Australia courtesy of the Assisted Passage Migration Scheme, which was set up in 1945 by Australia’s then Prime Minister, Ben Chiefly and the country’s first Minister of Immigration, Arthur Caldwell.

The scheme was created initially to substantially increase the population of Australia and to supply workers for the country’s booming industries. Between 1946 and 1972, when the Assisted Passage Migration Scheme ended, over one million ‘£10 Poms’ had emigrated to Australia.

They paid a £10 fee to travel by sea from Britain to Australia. This was a heavily subsidized rate with much of the cost covered by the cities of London and Canberra. In 1957, emigration substantially increased when Australia launched a campaign called ‘Bring out a Briton.’

Crying out for UK business acumen of Britons on Australian visas

According to the Crown Re locations survey, Australians say that their country is ‘crying out for business acumen from the UK’ and would wish to encourage British nationals to apply for an Australian visa and start a new life Down Under.

A 2014 Global Entrepreneurship Index (GEI) ranked the UK as the most entrepreneurial country in Europe, which could potentially explain why Australians value British Entrepreneurs. However, the UK was ranked fourth overall for ‘entrepreneurial activity,’ and in fact finished behind Australia, as well as the US and Canada.

New Australian entrepreneur visa

In mid-March, the Australian Federal Government began a consultation process with a view to introducing a new Entrepreneur visa in November 2016. “Australia wants to attract the best and brightest entrepreneurial talent and skills.”

“It is critical for Australia’s prosperity and growth that we not only tap into the best entrepreneurial minds in Australia, but we also make it easier for talent from overseas to contribute to this country’s innovative future.”

“We are also keen to retain those educated and talented people, who have come to Australia and developed their knowledge base during their time in this country”.

The Australian Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, stated that the new Entrepreneur visa would help to ‘promote innovation and encourage individuals to participate in the consultation process.’

“Under the National Innovation and Science Agenda, the new Entrepreneur visa will facilitate the entry to Australia and stay of entrepreneurs with innovative ideas and financial backing from a third party”.